THE BARKO ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Herminigildo Yurong (PG906), under the operational control of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao’s Naval Task Force 71, apprehended a motorized banca named M/B 3 Sister transporting smuggled cigarettes in the Davao Gulf around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 23.
Lt. Commander Reynant Villela, the NFEM Public Affairs officer, said that PG906 spotted the M/B traversing 3.2 nautical miles North East off East Point, IGACOS, during a maritime patrol.
Upon inspection, M/B 3 Sister was found to be carrying approximately 800 boxes of illicit cigarettes, with an estimated street value of Php 30,000,000. The motorized banca, allegedly from Jolo, Sulu, and bound for Panabo, Davao del Norte, had 11 crew members on board.
The captain of M/B 3 Sister failed to present legal documents and was escorted to Captain Feranil Pier, Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City, for further investigation.
Upon arrival at NSFA, the 11 crew members of M/B 3 Sister underwent medical assessment at Camp Panacan Hospital.
The boxes of cigarettes were unloaded for proper accounting.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI also conducted an inspection using sniffing dogs to check for illegal drugs among the contraband.
The boat, along with the cargo and its crew, were turned over to the Bureau of Customs and local police, respectively, for further action.
